Programme Management Officer - United Nations, Greece, Deadline: 14-May-2016

Posting Title:	Programme Management Officer
Job Code Title:	Programme Management Officer
Department/Office:	UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
Duty Station:	ATHENS
Posting Period:	16 March 2016 - 14 May 2016
Job Opening Number:	53056
Staffing Exercise	N/A

Special Notice

This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition (http://www.unep.org). This post is located in the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) Coordinating Unit/Barcelona Convention Secretariat (CU) in Athens.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Coordinator and the direct supervision of the MED POL Programme Officer, the incumbent will perform the following:

1. Provide technical support and coordinate activities related to the assessment of marine pollution from land based sources with a particular focus on periodical inventories of pollutant loads per country, sub region and region, per sources, sectors and sub sectors in accordance with the relevant provisions of the land-based sources (LBS), including as appropriate the relevant provisions of the Dumping, Hazardous Wastes (HW) and Offshore Protocols:
a) Coordinate data collection from the Contracting Parties and other sources regarding the pollutant loads to marine environment as well as pollutant discharge authorisations, quantities of HW generated, exported/imported, disposed, dumping permits records, dumped waste etc. as provided for in the relevant provisions and guidelines adopted by the Contracting Parties,
b) Maintain the pollutant data base and the relevant information system up to date and undertake periodical assessment of pollution reduction trends to support policy making at regional and national level as appropriate,
c) Follow up the implementation of the National Action Plans through the population and assessment of agreed technical indicators related to pollution trends and pressures.

2. Design and implement technical assistance activities at regional and national levels to support the Contracting Parties to enhance their capacities with regards to marine pollution assessment according to up to date methodologies and assessment tools and analysis including the link between marine pollution state and pressures and their relevant sectors.

3. Support collaboration with Basel Convention and London Dumping Protocol Secretariats with the view to maximize synergies for common reporting as appropriate on the technical aspects of the implementation of the HW protocol and Dumping Protocol of the Barcelona Convention and support joint activities for the implementation of related guidelines.

4. Research, analyse and prepare policy briefs on up to date pollution assessment tools and develop recommendation on how to better link assessment findings with policy. Identify relevant national, regional and international partners and projects with a particular focus on pollution assessment and reduction. 

5. Participate in various other tasks relevant to the MEDPOL Programme of work:
a) Prepare various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications in line with work responsibilities; 
b) Participate in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries; 
c) Contribute to MEDPOL programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements. Prepare related documents/reports in line with work responsibilities (pledging, work programme, programme budget).

6) Perform other relevant duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of concepts, approaches and best practices in the field of marine environment management with a particular focus on measures to combat and prevent marine pollution and litter coming from land and point-sea based sources and their effectiveness at global, regional and national levels. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection in particular related to loads of pollutant releases to marine and coastal environment from point and diffuse sources of pollution. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental technologies, engineering and/or chemical engineering or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years’ of progressively responsible working experience in the field of pollution control and prevention from land-based sources and activities, offshore and dumping affecting marine and coastal environment and related assessment is also required. At least two years’ working experience at the international level is also required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of the French language is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

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